Milky Way heavier than previously thought
Posted: Tue, Jan 6, 2009, 7:49 AM ET (1249 GMT)
The Milky Way galaxy is more massive and spins faster than astronomers previously believed, scientists reported Monday. Astronomers used the Very Long Baseline Array radio telescope to measures distances and motions within the galaxy, finding that objects were moving faster than previous estimates. The solar system, for example, rotates around the galaxy at a speed of over 960,000 km/h, up from previous estimates of 800,000 km/h. That increase in rotation means the Milky Way's mass is 50 percent higher than before, now 3 trillion solar masses, making it similar in size to the nearby Andromeda Galaxy.
The Milky Way galaxy is more massive and spins faster than astronomers previously believed, scientists reported Monday. Astronomers used the Very Long Baseline Array radio telescope to measures distances and motions within the galaxy, finding that objects were moving faster than previous estimates. The solar system, for example, rotates around the galaxy at a speed of over 960,000 km/h, up from previous estimates of 800,000 km/h. That increase in rotation means the Milky Way's mass is 50 percent higher than before, now 3 trillion solar masses, making it similar in size to the nearby Andromeda Galaxy.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, January 26
Rheinmetall and OHB in talks over Starlink-style service for German army
Financial Times — 5:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Colorado Springs must reject political games over Space Command
Colorado Springs Gazette — 5:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Blue Origin wastewater permit public meeting coming up Friday at UF/IFAS building
Florida Today — 5:16 am ET (1016 GMT) Central Coast Residents Greeted with Aggressive Boom from SpaceX Launch Sunday Morning
Santa Barbara (CA) Edhat — 5:12 am ET (1012 GMT) SpaceX Rocket Carries Starlink Satellites Into Orbit from Vandenberg
Noozhawk — 5:11 am ET (1011 GMT) |
